Answer to Question #183740 in Cell Biology for Areeba

Question

How can the SRP bind specifically to so many different sequences?

Answer 1

SRP binds to the signal sequence of a newly synthesized peptide as it emerges from the ribosome. This binding leads to the slowing of protein synthesis known as "elongation arrest", a conserved function of SRP that facilitates the coupling of the protein translation and the protein translocation processes. SRP then targets this entire complex (the ribosome-nascent chain complex) to the protein-conducting channel, also known as the translocon, in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. This occurs via the interaction and docking of SRP with its cognate SRP receptor,that is located in close proximity to the translocon.Upon docking, the nascent peptide chain is inserted into the translocon channel where it enters into the ER. Protein synthesis resumes as SRP is released from the ribosome.^[11][12] The SRP-SRP receptor complex dissociates via GTP hydrolysis and the cycle of SRP-mediated protein translocation continues.^[13]

Once inside the ER, the signal sequence is cleaved from the core protein by signal peptidase.